Corpus Christi, TX - Corpus Christi Medical Center is opening an Alternate Care Site (ACS) at Corpus Christi Medical Center-Northwest to provide care for patients who need post-acute services. The effort is in response to a need expressed by Judge Barbara Canales and the Nueces County Hospital District. The initial phase of the ACS was funded by Corpus Christi Medical Center. Nueces County and the Nueces County Hospital District have also agreed to fund the ACS to accommodate the surge of COVID-19 patients and increase hospital capacity in Corpus Christi.

"The COVID-19 situation in Corpus Christi and the surrounding area is critical, as it is in most of Texas," said Eric Evans, CEO of Corpus Christi Medical Center. "We need additional space to house patients, and the unused area at Corpus Christi Medical Center-Northwest Regional provides an immediate solution to meet a critical need."

Corpus Christi Medical Center has been working with the Nueces County Hospital District and emergency preparedness expert firm, East West Protections, to make the site operational. Renovations include: bringing patient care rooms to current hospital life safety standards, addition of a new HVAC system, additional medical gases, outfitting and renovation of dietary and support services. Patients with COVID-19 will be housed in a separate wing from non-COVID-19 post-acute patients.

Northwest Regional, located at 13725 Northwest Blvd, is staffed with employees from Corpus Christi Medical Center and those who arrive as the result of Corpus Christi Medical Center requesting additional staff support from the State of Texas.

The project is an example of the hospital collaborating with the City of Corpus Christi and Nueces County on comprehensive surge planning to ensure adequate capacity for the treatment for COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients. The alternative care site provides additional hospital beds to accommodate the surge of COVID-19 patients in Corpus Christi.

tags: covid-19